Art institutions tap power of ‘collective thinking’ with help of the technology

Technological innovations at world-renowned museums to attract visitors are no more among those passing fads. They are gradually becoming the part of the world-renowned institution’s functioning. For example, the Indianapolis Museum of Art site allows users to track its membership profile, the latest visitors count, its endowment, and also how much energy it’s consuming.

The deputy director (research, technology & engagement) at the museum, Robert Stein, reveals: “We are keen to share different pieces of information with the general public, the press and also our staff. It's a very important mission to us.'' On the other hand, The Metropolitan Museum of Art recently put together a special ‘Date Night’ segment on the eve of Valentine's Day.

It involved an editorial staffer discussing the most romantic pieces of art at the venue. The same was then posted to Facebook, with the users being asked to share their thoughts on the ‘most romantic’ works. The idea was to repurpose the art viewing experience in different environments. Hundreds of viewers enthusiastically responded to the post.

Indeed, the realm of public participation in museum activities is rapidly acquiring different forms and formats at different institutions. Even though the social media has been garnering ample attention, there’s pressure in terms of creating more information on the enhanced museum sites with descriptive texts, illustrative videos, elaborate audio, and bigger images - all compiled in one place.

The website of Brooklyn Museum has hosted an interactive quiz, for instance, supposed to help it shape an exhibit of 10 rarely seen works from the museum’s special collection that willgoon view this July, entitled ‘Split Second: Indian Paintings’.

However, the projects at the Guggenheim and the Brooklyn Museum are rather exceptions. Most of the activities that take place on their walls are still assiduously organized by erudite scholars, whereas the ultimate goal for all these technological interventions remain getting more people through their doors.